What you should know about IEC 62368-1 HBSE FAQ

Multimedia devices are rapidly converging and rapidly adopting new technology that enables better communication and performance. As a result, The line separating Audio/Visual equipment from IT products continues to be blurred.

As new devices and applications have evolved at unprecedented rates, and technologies continued to converge, the safety standards 60950-1 for IT products and 60065 for A/V equipment have undergone numerous modifications, making them more complex and difficult to use. IEC 62368-1 is a technology-neutral and performance-based standard, which was designed with a hazard-based approach to replace the IEC 60950 and IEC 60065 standards.

IEC 62368-1 was designed with a hazard-based approach which emphasizes safety design in the early product development phase and introduces significant technical revisions such as Hazard Based Safety Engineering (HBSE), methods for classifying energy sources, and methods for measuring safeguard effectiveness. It is imperative for everyone involved with product design to fully understand how a hazard-based approach incorporates with new requirements to achieve compliance.

What is IEC 62368-1?It is the new safety standard for Information Technology Equipment and Audio/Video Equipment. It is intended to replace IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065. It is a hazard-based, performance-oriented standard.

Is IEC 62368-1 a risk-based standard?No! Unlike IEC 60601-1, 3rd Edition, risk analysis is not required. Neither is it a simple merger of IEC 60065 and 60950-1.

Why are IEC 60950-1 & 60065 being replaced?Technology is changing, and IEC 62368-1 is technology independent. It also minimizes the need for national/regional differences.

Learn more about IEC 62368-1 in our 62368-1 HBSE Webinar which will give you an in-depth overview of IEC/EN/UL/CSA 62368-1 with critical insights into the new hazard based safety standard, key issues with transitioning (from IEC 60950 & IEC 60065), and manufacturers responsibilities from MET’s product safety testing experts. Click below to register or learn more.